Cudia Returns to US 'PHANTOM' Tour, 11/14

Also featured in the cast are Trista Moldovan as the young soprano, Christine, Greg Mills as Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny, Kim Stengel as Carlotta Giudicelli, D.C. Anderson as Monsieur André, Bruce Winant as Monsieur Firmin, John Whitney as Ubaldo Piangi and Jessi Ehrlich as Meg. At certain performances, Kelly Jeanne Grant plays the role of Christine.

John Cudia returns to the National Tour after recently completing a successful run as The Phantom on Broadway. His Broadway credits include both Phantom and Les Misérables. In fact, John holds the distinct honor of being the first and only actor to have performed as both The Phantom and Jean Valjean on Broadway.  

John recently played Jean Valjean in the highly successful production of Les Misérables at The Marriott Theatre in Chicago, where his performance earned him a Joseph Jefferson Award nomination. John earned his BA from Fordham University. His résumé includes leading roles at The Paper Mill Playhouse, North Shore Music Theater, Pioneer Theater, Portland Stage, St. Louis Reparatory, Casa Manana, Westchester Broadway and The Carousel Theatre. In concert, John has made several appearances in The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber for Jeffrey Finn Productions and was a featured tenor soloist with the Orchestra of St. Peter by the Sea in his home state of New Jersey. John is happily married to Broadway actress Kathy Voytko.

Mr. Cudia succeeds Richard Todd Adams in the role of The Phantom.

Prior to joining The Phantom of the Opera, Anne Kanengeiser was seen in the National Tour of Beauty and the Beast playing the delightful Mrs. Potts. Broadway Credits include: Ragtime (Kathleen, u/s Mother) and Little Women (Standby for Maureen McGovern as Marmee). Regional Credits include: The role of Fosca in the First Regional Production of Stephen Sondheim's Passion at Signature Theatre, VA garnering her the 1997 Helen Hayes Award for Best Actress; the World Premiere of  Eleanor: An American Love Story starring as Eleanor Roosevelt at the Ford's Theatre in DC gaining her the 2000 Helen Hayes Award. Other Regional favorites include: Victor/Victoria (Victoria), Sweeney Todd (Beggarwoman); The Music Man (Marian). TV credits include: "L&O: Criminal Intent"; "L&O: SVU"; and "Guiding Light".

Ms. Kanengeiser succeeds Nancy Hess in the role of Madame Giry.

The Phantom of the Opera U.S. National Tour upcoming schedule is as follows:
Now through November 22 Tampa, FL Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center www.tbpac.org
November 26, 2008-January 4, 2009 San Francisco, CA Orpheum Theatre www.shnsf.com
January 21-February 21, 2009 Los Angeles, CA Pantages Theatre www.broadwayla.com
February 25-March 22, 2009 Denver, CO Buell Theatre www.dcpa.org
March 25-April 19, 2009 Kansas City, MO Music Hall www.broadwayacrossamerica.com/kansascity

For more information, visit the official The Phantom of the Opera website at www.thephantomoftheopera.com.

Photo Credit: Joan Marcus